It was a challenging, but friendly course which was built by course designer Bob Ellis for yesterday’s first jumping qualifier and the result was correspondingly: 32 riders out of a starting field of 75 remained clear, 8 riders collected one or two penalty points, but also had no fence down. Yesterday’s ranking decided on the starting order for today’s first round of the nations cup - but also meant the end of all individual competitions for the 15 riders between ranks 61 and 75. Among those unlucky ones were also some really big names: Christian Ahlmann’s Codex One had the first element of the Stonehenge-combination on the floor and then refused the second fence. Ahlmann, however, managed to motivate the stallion to jump in a second attempt, but a total of 15 penalty points at the end meant place 69 and therefore the end of all individual medal-dreams for Ahlmann. That Ahlmann gave his stallion a heavy slash with a whip after the refusal was in line with the rules - however, if it was a really good idea in front of 23.000 spectators in Greenwich and especially in front of many, many - not quite equestrian-affine - spectators on TV might be questioned.

Among the other riders not allowed to further compete in the individual competition are also US-rider Beezie Madden with Via Volo and British showjumper Peter Charles with Vindicat.

The riders of all nations today start in the first round of the team competition, the best 8 teams will qualify for the nations cup’s second round - which decides on the team medals - tomorrow. Both the rounds today and tomorrow are also counting for the individual competition. Our photograph shows Belgian showjumper Philippe LeJeune with Vigo d’Arsouilles.